Queanbeyan Whites can finish Vikings again

By
Joshua Matic

THEY may have only beaten the John I Dent Cup's most successful club twice in the last four years, but the Queanbeyan Whites still know they have the best record against the Tuggeranong Vikings.

The Queanbeyan Whites beat the Tuggeranong Vikings in their last grand final in 2010, and want nothing more than a repeat.

THEY may have only beaten the John I Dent Cup's most successful club twice in the last four years, but the Queanbeyan Whites still know they have the best record against the Tuggeranong Vikings.

It was a sideline penalty goal by Whites contracted ACT Brumbies and Wallabies play-maker Nic White that sealed the Queanbeyan men a 30-28 win over the Vikings in the 2010 grand final.

But even though they will not have him suiting up this weekend, there is little doubt the current squad is the most capable of taking the Vikings down.

The Canberra Royals and the Western Districts Lions have pulled it off once each in the same time, but the Whites are the side that have put the most pressure on Tuggeranong.

And coach Adam Fahey said there would be no excuses in failing to do the same in tomorrow's John I Dent Cup grand final.

"Our achievements so far this season are not acceptable as far as the club is concerned," said Fahey.

"We're going out there to win it, and we'll do everything we can to win it."

"The Vikings may have won the club championship [for finishing first in four of five grades] but it's all about silverware. We want trophies on the table."

Overall it has been an inconsistent season for the Whites, winning eight of 13 games, but they came out guns blazing a fortnight ago and shell-shocked the Vikings in the major semi-final, winning 33-32.

And this has given them the confidence they can finally go all the way in the competition again.

Fahey said his men's defence would be key to get them the win, and skipper Dan Penca backed his coach up.

"They've [Vikings] got pretty classy backs, and they've got very good forwards too. There's a reason why they have been so great over the last several years." said Penca.

"They've got danger players one to 15."

Queanbeyan forwards Tom Dunstan and Neori Nadruku will be playing in their first grand finals for the Whites, and will be right up against the Tuggeranong pack.

Dunstan said his men had to get their set pieces right to hold the John I Dent Cup aloft.

"Our backs are the ones who will score the points, so we need to be able to let them unleash," he said.

Nadruku said Vikings scrumhalf Joe Powell would need to be shut down too.

"It's hard to separate each player at the Vikings, but Joe Powell especially, he really stands out as a sharp play-maker," he said.